1. society

The Beacon
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Minister’s Column
1
President’s Column
3
Religious Education
4-5
UUSC News/Events 6-10
11
UUSC Calendar
Birthdays
12
A M ONTHLY N EWSLETTER
THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST
SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND
V o l um e 6 6 , I s s ue 4
N o v e m be r 1 , 2 0 1 4
NOTES FROM OUR MINISTER
Dear Members and Friends,
‘Tis the season of pumpkin flavored
everything, and cleaning winter coats as
temperatures drop from down through the
50’s and into colder still yet.
By the time you read this, hopefully, you’ve
come down from your Halloween Candy
inspired shenanigans, and you’re beginning to
look forward to the Holiday Season. (See an
article later in the newsletter about
Thanksgiving Dinner.)
As we come into a time of a life lived more
indoors than out, I share with you a gift from
Johnny Mercer.
Mr. Mercer never lived to hear his words to
“October Goes” matched to music. He wrote:
And when October goes
The snow begins to fly
Above the smoky roofs
I watch the planes go by
The children running home
Beneath a twilight sky
Oh, for the fun of them
When I was one of them.
OF
October has just gone by us, and we are faced
with November. The song, as sung by Barry
Manilow and also by Nancy Wilson plays in
my mind as I think about the approaching
month and gratitude for such music as this.
The song, in it’s entirety, talks of both loss and
noticing the changing landscapes of a
person’s life, and that also, every twelve
months the cycle repeats itself and the
feelings return.
As nights grow longer and the weather more
chilly, I recommend that you pay even more
attention to that for which you may be
thankful. And should you be gathering with
your family, by birth or choice, may safe
travels be yours at Thanksgiving.
Yours in faith,
Rev. Joe Cherry
Page 2
T he U n i ta r i a n U n i v e r s a l i s t S o c i e ty o f C l e v e l a nd
G R AT I T U D E D I N N E R
Thanksgiving a Few Days Early!
This month, on November 22nd, we are joining
forces with the First Unitarian Universalist
Church of Cleveland to offer a Thanksgiving
Dinner for the folks who live across the street
from us at Musicians’ Towers. Musicians’
Towers, for those like me who are new here, is
a building of 196 apartments rented out to
folks over 55 who are on limited incomes. If
you want to know how you can pitch in and
help out, please contact me
([email protected]) and I will put you
in contact with the people running the show.
If you can’t come that day, you can still help
by “buying” a bag of potatoes, or offering to
help clean up the next day after church. There
will be posters in the basement with images of
turkeys, potatoes, cranberries and the like. On
the back of each will be a dollar amount that it
costs to “buy” that item. At First Church there
will also be posters like this. We will be
seeking volunteers to cook the turkeys at
home, but the rest of the food will be prepared
in First Church’s kitchen with members of
both congregations working together. We will
then transport our bounty to the Society where
we will serve our neighbors together. (I’ve
heard that even some folks from East Shore are
asking to be invited into the action!)
There will be more information coming with
exact details about time of prep party and time
of serving. I’m sure there’ll even be some
carpooling organized. Please join in and help
make this a rousing success and a cherished
memory for all involved.
Yours in faith,
Rev. Joe Cherry
T he U n i ta r i a n U n i v e r s a l i s t S o c i e ty o f C l e v e l a nd
Page 3
FROM OUR PRESIDENT
Greetings UUSC Members and Friends,
I have some very exciting news this month. In September we got a quote for the installation of a
hearing loop from Brown Audio Service. A hearing loop is a very cool piece of technology that can
broadcast audio directly to a t-coil hearing aid so that it becomes an in-the-ear loudspeaker.
They’re used a lot in Europe, but they aren’t very common in the US. In fact, we’ll be one of the
first facilities in our area to install a hearing loop. A loop of copper wire will be installed under the
carpet in the sanctuary and the loop driver will connect to our existing sound system. The total
cost of the system, including installation, is about $2700 but Walter Nicholes has very generously
offered to pay $1500 as a gift to the Society. At the October board meeting, we voted to use $1200
from the capital budget to take advantage of this opportunity. Thank you, Walt!
On a related note, the board has continued to discuss our options for building improvements.
We’ve received advice and rough estimates for a number of the potential action items that I
mentioned in my September article. (If you don’t remember, some of the highlights include an elevator, an ADA-compliant unisex bathroom, a security system, and improvements to the front patio
and entrance). We will have a meeting on December 7th after the service to present this information
to the congregation. We don’t plan to vote on anything during the meeting, but we need to hear
everyone’s voice in the discussion as we put together our proposal. Please plan to attend!
Barbie Jones, President, UUSC Board of Trustees
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total 2013/2014 pledge payments as of September 2014 were $12,158 representing roughly 25% of
our pledge goal of $64,933. Pledge collections were $4,106 for the month of September. This puts
us about 6.5% behind for the year in pledge income.
We received $270 in non-pledge contributions to the general fund, plus $289 in other income
during September. For the year we have brought in $14,078 of an expected $19,863, making 70% of
our goal.
The special collection in September for Urban Hope raised $151 and the collection for Seasons of
Hope in October raised $230.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions about the financial ministry of the
Society.
Dana Bjorklund, UU Society Treasurer
T he U n i ta r i a n U n i v e r s a l i s t S o c i e ty o f C l e v e l a n d
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RE V UU W N O V E M B E R 2014
November 2014 REvUUw and Sunday Calendar
Sunday, November 2
Sunday, November 9
Sunday, November 16
Sunday, November 23
Sunday, November 30
Sunday, December 7
Regular Religious Education classroom schedule
Regular Religious Education schedule, youth group attend service
Regular Religious Education classroom schedule
Children’s Chapel “Guest at Your Table”
Children’s Chapel “Jingle Bells”
Regular Religious Education schedule
Sunday, November 2nd from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Shine and Shadow Support Group (formerly the
Living and Losing group). Join us for this ongoing support group for people facing loss and change.
We will meet in the UUSC library. Newcomers welcome.
Friday, November 21st from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Religious Education committee meeting
The UUSC religious education committee will meet at the Society to discuss upcoming programs and
classes. All are welcome to attend this committee meeting.
Saturday, November 22nd from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. OWL workshop: Exploring Transgender/
Cis-gender. This OWL workshop will provide opportunities to gain a greater understanding of the
current transgender reality. How can Unitarian Universalists be allies to our transgender community
and gain a greater understanding of what cis-gender privilege means to both the heterosexual and the
LGBTQ community? We have partnered with the LGBTQ Center to offer this workshop. Sign-up
sheets are located in the Fellowship Hall. If you need childcare please let Rina Shere know by
Sunday, November 16th. The Our Whole Lives program is a values-based comprehensive human
sexuality program. Through discussion and activities participants and leaders will focus on our
sexuality in connection to our relationships, our families and our spirituality. Participants will be
challenged to explore sexuality as a creative and connective life force rather than a series of thoughts
and actions isolated from other parts of human activity.
Sunday, November 23rd UU World Discussion group during Social Hour in Fellowship Hall.
Join us during social hour to discuss the following articles from the Fall 2014 edition “Challenging the
Surveillance State” and “Ready for Change: UU Church of Boulder is UUA Breakthrough Congregation.” All are welcome.
Dear families:
November 23rd we will begin this year’s Guest at Your Table service collection. We will
introduce this year’s “guests” during the Sunday service and then the children will be creating take
T he U n i ta r i a n U n i v e r s a l i s t S o c i e ty o f C l e v e l a n d
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RE V UU W N O V E M B E R 2014
home boxes to help the congregation collect money that will be used to further the social justice work of the
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. This ties in with the idea of giving thanks for what we have and
sharing with others that is a theme of the Thanksgiving holiday. The Guest at Your Table collection boxes
provide a tangible resource for families to help others in ways that might seem small on an individual level,
but when collectively undertaken by others in congregations around the United States, can have a major impact
to families in other parts of the world.
In faith,
Rina
T he U n i ta r i a n U n i v e r s a l i s t S o c i e ty o f C l e v e l a n d
GCC Action Meeting
November 20th
It has been a huge year for GCC, and we have a lot to be thankful for. Our last
Delegate Assembly meeting for the year will be on November 20th at 7pm at
Antioch Baptist Church, 8869 Cedar Ave, and everyone is invited!
Each issue action team will give reports on their progress, successes, and next
steps:

The Criminal Justice Team will announce how their meeting with Prosecutor
McGinty went regarding the Felon Factory of Cuyahoga County. (NB: The meeting
on Nov 20 is replacing the CJ meeting scheduled for Nov 13. That meeting has
been postponed.)
The Education Team will celebrate their work around Issue 4, the CMSD Bond
Levy Renewal, and hopefully celebrate its passing (we need your help to pass this
issue on Election Day-- click here for more information)
The Gun Violence Reduction Team will celebrate Mayors who have signed on to
DNSIB and update us on developments in their strategy. (Like the new DNSIB FB
page!)

The newly elected Strategy Team will report on budget, staffing, recruitment
and GCC's strategic plan.
Page 6
T he U n i ta r i a n U n i v e r s a l i s t S o c i e ty o f C l e v e l a n d
Page 7
Gratitude Dinner
Saturday, November 22, 2014
4:00 PM
This month, on November 22nd, we are joining forces with the First
Unitarian Universalist Church of Cleveland to offer a Thanksgiving
Dinner for the folks who live across the street from us at Musicians’
Towers. Dinner will be served at 4:00.
All members and Friends are invited to attend.
We'll be needing members to work, to donate, and to attend. See
Mary Schatzman for assignments.
A sign-up sheet is in Fellowship Hall.
For more information, see Rev. Joe’s article on page 2 of the Beacon.
T he U n i ta r i a n U n i v e r s a l i s t S o c i e ty o f C l e v e l a n d
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UUSC N E W S / A N N O U N C E M E N T S
REMINDER—Spring Forward and Fall Back One Hour for Daylight Savings Time:
Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, November 2nd, so don't forget to move your clock
back one hour at 2:00 a.m.
First Sunday Potluck—November 2: First Sunday Potluck is November 2nd in the Fellowship
Hall immediately following service. If you don’t bring a dish, the cost is $3 per person or $5 per
family. First time guests are free.
The Dao Study Group—November 2: The Dao study group will meet Sunday afternoon on
November 2nd at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. The group will explore "Zen, Kabbalah, and Theistic
Religious Strictures". For more information, see Dietz Ziechmann.
SAVE THE DATES!!! "Getting to Know UUSC" November 9th and January 11th: Interested in
learning more about the Society and Unitarian Universalism? Attend this meeting with the
Membership Team immediately after the service. The next meeting is November 9th.
Movie Night—November 16: Movie Night for November will be Sunday, Nov. 16, at 5:00 pm in
the sanctuary. The movie is "Everything Is Illuminated". A young American Jewish man begins an
exhausting quest -- aided by a naïve Ukranian translator -- to find the righteous gentile woman
who saved his grandfather when his small Ukranian village (along with most of the populace)
was obliterated during the Nazi invasion of Russia in 1941. Stars Elijah Wood, Eugene Hutz and
Boris Leskin. Liev Schreiber directs. Based on the novel by Jonathan Safran Foer. We will watch
the movie, then have discussion. All are welcome, and yes, there will be pizza.
English Country Dance— November 21: Join Wes Senseman and friends on Friday, November
21st at 8:00—11:00 p.m. at the Society in the sanctuary for English Country Dance. All dances are
taught and prompted. No partners are necessary. For more information contact Wes at 216-9327570.
Gratitude Dinner—November 22: The UU Society of Cleveland Gratitude Dinner will be
Saturday, November 22nd at 4:00 p.m. at the church. The residents at Musicians’ Tower have
been invited. We'll be needing members to work, to donate, and to attend. See Mary Schatzman
for assignments. A sign-up sheet is in Fellowship Hall.
T he U n i ta r i a n U n i v e r s a l i s t S o c i e ty o f C l e v e l a nd
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UUSC N E W S / A N N O U N C E M E N T S
Thanksgiving Eve Service—November 26: Five congregations from the Heights have come
together for an ecumenical, community Thanksgiving Eve Service. Like in the days of the Heights
InterFaith Council, it will be held Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 26th, at 7:30 p.m. at
Hope Lutheran Church, 2222 North Taylor Road (near the East Cleveland border). The speaker
will be the Rev. Leonard Killings of Advent Lutheran Church in Cleveland, who serves as the
manager of the Lee-Seville-Miles Ministerial Alliance Hunger Center. The theme is "Giving
Thanks by Giving Back"... to the community.
The Locks are Changing! For security purposes, we are re-keying all of the locks in the church.
New keys will be given to the leadership team and board members. Others who are interested in
receiving a key should call or email the office if you have not already done so, and your request
will be submitted to Rev. Joe for approval.
UUSC Board Meeting Minutes: To receive the minutes from Board
Meetings via email, please contact the Society’s Office.
Have an Announcement?: If you have an item for the bulletin or The
Beacon, mail, email or fax your announcement to the Society by
Wednesday morning to be included on Sunday. Pulpit announcements
can be placed in the green “Announcements To Be Read” folder on the
wall in the Office up to 15 minutes before the start of the service. Please
indicate how you want your item announced.
On Facebook?
If so, check out the Society’s Facebook page. A link to it
can be found on our website at www.uucleveland.org.
UUSC Podcast
Listen to Sunday services online, and more.
Visit: http://uucleveland.podbean.com.
Wheelchair Available
The Society has a wheelchair available for use during
congregational events.
T h e U n i ta r i a n U n i v e r s a l i s t S o c i e ty o f C l e v e l a nd
THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE
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T he U ni ta r i a n U n i v e r s a l i s t S o c i e ty o f C l e v e l a n d
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November 2014
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Sunday Worship Service
Musical Prelude at 10:45 a.m.
Service at 11:00 a.m.
Fri
1
Reminder —
Daylight
Saving Time
begins
Nov. 2.nd.
2
12:30 pm
First Sunday
Potluck
1 pm Shine &
Shadow
2 pm The Dao
Study Group
Sat
3
4
5
6
7
8
12:30 pm
Daytimers’
Meeting
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
16
19
20
21
22
12:30 pm
Getting to
Know UUSC
3—5:00 pm
Shamanic
Journeying Cir.
12:30 pm
Daytimers’
Meeting
5:00 pm
Movie Night
“Everything is
Illuminated”
23
Beacon
Deadline
12:30 pm
UU World
Discussion
Group
30
12:30 pm
Daytimers’
Meeting
7 pm Board
of Trustees
24
25
26
7:30 pm
Thanksgiving
Eve Service
off site
27
Happy
Thanksgiving
(office closed)
8:00—11 pm
English
Country Dance
10-11:30 am
RE Committee
meeting
10 am—12
Noon Owl
Workshop
4:00 pm
Gratitude
Dinner at
UUSC
28
29
Thanksgiving
Holiday
(office closed)
THE UNITARIAN
UNIVERSALIST
SOCIETY
OF CLEVELAND
2728 Lancashire Road
Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44106
Phone: 216-932-1898
Fax: 216-932-1516
Email: [email protected]
www.uucleveland.org
The Rev. Joseph Cherry
Minister
Office Hours: 9:30 a.m.—2:00 p.m.
Tuesday—Thursday
Message phone: 216-264-9832
Rina Shere
Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Wed. &Thurs. 9:30 a.m.—230 p.m.
Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Friday—By Appointment
Shirley Nelson
Administrator/Beacon Editor
Tues. 9:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.
Wed. 9:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.
Thurs. 9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.
Diane Spiegler
Bookkeeper
UUSC DEADLINES:
Beacon Articles: Deadline for December is November 23rd
Order of Service/Announcements:
Wednesday a.m. before the Sunday Service
Board Reports: Thursday a.m. before the Board Meeting on
Wednesday evening of the following week.
Amy Collins
Commissioned Lay Leader
Warren Ronney
Custodian
Barbara Boyd
Choir Director
Rev. Peggy C. Clason
Minister Emerita
UUSC Board of Trustees *
Barbie Jones
President
Nina McLellan Vice President
Maureen Meslovich Secretary
Dana Bjorklund
Treasurer
Peggy Lagodny
Kristen Liviskie
Board Meetings are held on the 2nd
Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
This is only a partial list, to make it complete, send your special dates
to the Office at [email protected] or just call and leave a message
on the machine. Thanks!!
November
Miriam Grossman
14
Diane Spiegler
22
On Facebook?
If so, check out the Society’s Facebook page. A link to it can be found
on our website at www.uucleveland.org.
UUSC Podcast
Listen to Sunday services online, and more.
Visit: http://uucleveland.podbean.com.
Wheelchair Available
The Society has a wheelchair available for use during congregational
events.